James Johnson (Forward) - Waiver Wire Pickup

Baller Move: Add for Blocks

Analysis: Johnson is a guy who keeps jumping on and off people’s radars, when he puts up the occasional big game before going quiet again.  His problem is that he’s only averaged about 8 points a game, and points per game is usually the biggest number and the first stat people look at. However, Johnson has contributed an amazing 1.7 blocks/game and 1.4 steals/game, which are huge positive contributions for each stat. Take the blocks – a general rule of thumb I use is that each extra block helps as much as about 7 or 8 extra points per game.  If you saw a guy on the waiver wire whose per game averages between December 28 and January 27 were .431 FG%, .786 FT%, 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds. 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks, you’d say “wow, it’s Paul Pierce” and you’d probably pick him up.  But since Johnson put up those exact numbers except for averages of 8.4 in points and 1.9 in blocks, his value is not so obvious, and he’s still largely available as a free agent. The best part is that he has been doing this on 23 minutes a game, and he’s only got the offensive black-hole Tayshaun Prince standing in between him and a starting role at SF where he could have Top 60 value.